CHAPTER 274

"Well said! Well said! You definitely deserve a round of applause for that." Belle smiled coldly and said, "I know it was too much for a peasant like myself to ask you to travel all the way from the big city just to visit me. That's fine, but what about allowance? I didn't know Brian made tens of thousands per year until I came to Dusktown. Considering the amount of money you're making, you only give me and Alex two thousand every month?!" As soon as Belle finished her words, the bystanders were stunned, whereupon they gave Brian and Rachael a loathsome look.

At the same time, whispers could be heard from the crowd that surrounded them. "Oh my gosh! Is this real? Mr. Carter makes tens of thousands every year, if not millions but only gives his mother two thousand? Does he really think that kind of money is going to be enough?"

"I can't believe that's who Mr. Carter is. This is unacceptable!"

"That's right. We've all been fooled by his deceptive kindness! Look at how he treats his mother and son! What an animal! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!"

Although most of the bystanders were Brian's colleagues, they wouldn't want to rub him the wrong way. Thus, they only expressed their disdain either silently or in whispers inaudibly. But, unfortunately, Brian wasn't without flaws, even though he might be popular among his colleagues. After all, those who didn't like him had been waiting for the right opportunity to hit him when he was down. In fact, even those people, who were unwilling to sabotage their relationship with the man, couldn't help but look at Brian and Rachael in a disdainful manner.

Meanwhile, Brian was so embarrassed that he felt no different from standing naked in front of everyone who was judging his domestic issues. As the cold sweat drenched the back of his shirt, he walked up to Belle and kept his head down. "It was my fault, Mom. It was all my fault. I'm sorry. You're right. I'm a

lousy son. I deserve to be lectured and punished, so please don't be mad anymore, Mom." While Brian had always been proud of his own achievement thus far, his success was earned solely by his own hard work besides the tuition fees that Yuri paid for him in those three years. Nevertheless, his sense of accomplishment and pride in his outstanding achievements were shattered when he was struck by the unexpected moment of being publicly judged. Because of that, he struggled to calm himself down, not knowing what to do to appease his mother and the crowd around him. Thus, he only hoped his mother would leave with him so that the humiliating commotion could end. Please. I know what my mistake was, Mother. Please just come home with me. You could do whatever you want to me when we get home as long as we can put a stop to this embarrassing moment. I'm sorry, Mom.

"Brian had nothing to do with the money since it was me who made the transfer." Rachael gritted her teeth and said, "Mom, you're right that Brian's job pays well, but like I said earlier, Larry and Lucy's poor health left us no choice but to keep going in and out of the hospital. So, while his pay may be good, we're burdened by our children's piano and their extra-curricular classes. Speaking of that, you have no idea how expensive those classes are nowadays because they alone cost tens of thousands, and that is exclusive of their daily meals and medical expenses. As you can see, everything needs money…"

"That's audacious of you to say that!" Belle wished she could just slap Rachael in the face. "I raised Brian, yet he repays me by giving me and Alex two thousand every month without any problem paying for your children's fancy piano that is worth tens of thousands?! How shameless of you, lady!"

"How could you say that, Mom?" Rachael tried to explain herself. "The living cost in Sanguine Mountain isn't that high, so I'm sure two thousand is more than enough to make ends meet, but Dusktown is different. Everything needs money, from meals to traveling expenditures and accommodation. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I could have handled the situation better. After all, two thousand was the most we could give back when we were burdened by the heavy expenses for our kids, considering the fact that Brian wasn't making as much. Now that Brian is making more, we'll be giving you more

allowance from next month onward. So, tell us the amount you think is enough, and we'll be sure to transfer as much as you wish. After all, Brian is your son, and of course, we're obligated to repay you. I admit that it was my mistake back then, so I'm going to right the wrong and make sure nothing like this happens again."

Meanwhile, Leigh was standing behind Belle, monitoring her health condition while observing her reaction. As she continued to listen to the conversation, she couldn't help but express her disapproval by clicking her tongue. "She has the qualities of an outstanding lawyer, doesn't she? She's got quite the silver tongue without any sense of shame!"

"Now, that's what I would call an insult." Madeline, who was standing beside Leigh, said, "Most of the lawyers are honorable and righteous professionals, except the black sheep."

Although Brian's colleagues were also talking behind his back about Rachael, they exchanged their thoughts in whispers. Nonetheless, Leigh and Madeline didn't bother to keep their voices down when they said those words, as if they wanted everyone else to hear them. Needless to say, their responses were clearly heard by every single bystander around them.

Soon, Rachael furrowed her eyebrows and looked at the ladies. "Watch your tongue, ladies. Who might you both be?"

"I'm the lawyer hired by Mrs. Carter," Madeline replied.

"And I'm a doctor." Leigh folded her arms, sizing Rachael up before she shifted her gaze to Brian and sneered at him. "Do you know why I'm not big on relationships and marriage? It's because I'm afraid of having a son like you. Your mother worked hard and sacrificed everything she had to raise you, but you? You took her for granted. Now that you're a grown and married man, you only have eyes for your exclusive content.

wife, almost forgetting your mother's existence. You wouldn't visit her, and neither would you aid her financially. Attaboy! You're the 'best' son a mother could ever hope to have."

While Brian was so embarrassed that he didn't have the courage to look up, Rachael angrily berated Leigh and said, "Watch your mouth, lady! I could sue you for slander!"

"Sue me for slander?" Leigh clapped her hands with a snigger. "That's even better, still. You know what? You should probably also invite the press or the filming crew here to do a live broadcast because I have already figured out a title for the show. How about this? An elite, who makes millions per year, abandons his mother and his son and pays only two thousand to her every month. Is this a sign of moral depravity or humanity perishing? What do you think about the title, Mrs. Carter?"

Rachael was rendered speechless upon hearing Leigh's words. Despite her convincing explanation, she knew deep down that two thousand was not enough for Belle and Alex. Therefore, it wouldn't do her and Brian any good if the matter escalated any further.

"Did I just hear the press or the filming crew?" Belle nodded and said, "That's a good idea. Those people can help us show how wicked and heartless Rachael can be to the world! I'm getting old, and I don't know how much longer I can be around to look after Alex. All I wanted for the boy was some decent education, which was why I made Brian come back to take Alex with him to Dusktown. Although Brian promised me that he would take care of Alex, the kid still looks skinny even after spending 2 years in Dusktown. What kind of stepmother are you, Rachael?! Why wasn't Alex well fed?" Belle, who was calm a few moments ago, began to feel a lump in her throat as she rubbed Alex's head tearfully and added with a sobbing voice, "I didn't agree with it when Brian wanted to marry Rachael back then. However, when Yuri was never found again, even though I believed she was still alive, I eventually gave in after Rachael swore that she would treat Alex as if he was her own son, but look at what she did in the end…"